Tang Dynasty: Saving Lives and Helping Others, Li Lizhi Falls for Him

After listening to Cuizhu's words, Li Lizhi paced back and forth in the hall a few times, having already made up her mind.

Can't wait any longer.

The Emperor's condition has improved, and Shen Chang'an's medical skills have been proven. Next, it will be the Empress Dowager's turn.

"Cuizhu, come with me to the East Palace." Li Lizhi straightened her clothes and stepped out.

"Princess, it's getting dark. Shall we go tomorrow?" Cuizhu quickly followed.

"tomorrow?"

Li Lizhi kept walking, "The Empress Dowager will leave the city for Tangquan Palace tomorrow, and it will be too late if we delay any longer."

She needed to arrange everything before her mother left the city.

It's quite a distance to walk from Lizheng Hall to the East Palace.

After passing through several palace gates and two corridors, the palace servants along the way all lowered their heads and gave way when they saw Princess Chang Le.

Li Lizhi walked briskly, her skirt brushing lightly against the bluestone ground, making a soft rustling sound.

Cuizhu followed closely behind, but couldn't help but mutter to herself—the princess walked really fast today.

The Eastern Palace, located on the east side of the Imperial Palace, was the residence of the Crown Prince.

The palace is majestic and imposing, with two stone lions standing in front of the gate and wide steps that can accommodate eight people walking side by side.

Above the door hangs a plaque with the two characters "Eastern Palace" written in a powerful and vigorous style. It is said to have been written by Emperor Taizong himself.

The guards at the gate saw Li Lizhi approaching from afar, quickly bowed, and one of them hurried inside to report.

Before long, Li Chengqian came out to greet them personally.

He was dressed in a moon-white casual outfit, his hair was tied up, and his complexion had a bit more color than during the day—although still pale, it was no longer as pale as before, almost transparent.

"Lizhi, what brings you here?"

Li Chengqian strode down the steps, his tone tinged with surprise, but mostly with joy.

Li Lizhi curtsied and said, "Your Majesty."

"Get up quickly, there's no need for such formalities between us, brother and sister."

Li Chengqian reached out to help her up, his gaze sweeping across her face. "Coming to the East Palace so late, is there something you need?"

Li Lizhi pursed her lips and said softly, "Brother, let's go inside and talk."

Li Chengqian glanced at her, nodded, and stepped aside to lead her inside.

The brother and sister took their seats in the main hall of the East Palace. The palace servants served tea and snacks and then quietly withdrew, leaving only Cuizhu and Guo Hu waiting outside the hall.

"How are you feeling today, Your Majesty?" Li Lizhi picked up her teacup but didn't drink it; instead, she asked the question first.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian smiled, a rare sight on his face: "Much better. After that doctor Shen gave me acupuncture, I felt warm all over, and my appetite was much better at dinner. I ate half a bowl more rice than usual."

"Really?" Li Lizhi's eyes lit up.

"Would I lie to you?"

Li Chengqian put down his teacup and said seriously, "Lizhi, I must thank you properly for what happened this time. If it weren't for your introduction, I wouldn't have known that there was such a miraculous doctor hiding outside Chang'an."

As he spoke, he stood up and solemnly bowed to Li Lizhi.

Li Lizhi quickly stood up to stop him: "What are you doing, Your Majesty? We are siblings, why be so formal?"

"Ritual must not be abandoned."

Li Chengqian insisted on finishing the ceremony before sitting down again. "That Doctor Shen's acupuncture technique is truly divine. In all the years that the people in the Imperial Hospital have been watching me, not a single one has ever been able to make me see results on the spot."

As Li Lizhi listened, her resolve grew stronger.

Taking advantage of Li Chengqian's good mood, she changed the subject: "Your Majesty, since you believe in Doctor Shen's medical skills, I would like to ask you for a favor."

"What kind of help? Tell me." Li Chengqian was in a great mood and readily agreed.

Li Lizhi did not rush to speak, but first picked up her teacup and took a sip, seemingly considering her words.

"Brother, what do you think of... Mother's illness?"

Li Chengqian's smile faltered slightly.

"The imperial physicians have been treating the Empress Dowager's illness for so many years, but they have not been able to cure it completely."

Li Lizhi put down her teacup, her tone calm, but every word she spoke carried great weight: "When the attack occurs, she becomes short of breath and weak. Every time Father Emperor sees Mother having an attack, he is so worried that he can't sleep all night."

Li Chengqian did not speak, but his brows were already slightly furrowed.

"The people at the Imperial Medical Bureau said that the Empress Dowager's health was delicate and that it was better to wait it out rather than rush it. But this wait has lasted for several years, and she hasn't gotten any better."

Li Lizhi looked into Li Chengqian's eyes, "Your Majesty, you have personally experienced Doctor Shen's medical skills today. Do you think... he can cure Mother's illness?"

Li Chengqian was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "With his acupuncture skills and diagnostic abilities, he certainly has that ability."

"Then why not give it a try?"

"You mean..." Li Chengqian hesitated for a moment, "to have Doctor Shen treat the Empress Dowager?"

"Exactly."

Seeing that Li Chengqian did not directly object, Li Lizhi felt slightly relieved and pressed her advantage, saying, "Your Majesty, tomorrow the Empress Dowager is going to the Tangquan Palace outside the city for recuperation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—the Tangquan Palace is outside the city, not far from Doctor Shen's courtyard. We can easily find an excuse to have the Empress Dowager visit Doctor Shen on her way."

"But……"

Li Chengqian hesitated, "My mother is of noble status, and it's not easy for her to leave the palace. If my father finds out..."

"So we can't tell Father Emperor," Li Lizhi continued, her tone firm. "At least, we can't tell Father Emperor until Doctor Shen cures Mother Empress."

Li Chengqian glanced at her but did not immediately refute her.

Li Lizhi knew that her brother's hesitation was not because he did not trust Shen Chang'an's medical skills, but because this matter was too complicated.

She decided to add fuel to the fire.

"Brother, think about it."

Her voice lowered, taking on a persuasive tone, "The Imperial Medical Bureau has been treating Mother for years without success. If the doctor we recommend cures her, what will Father think of us?"

Li Chengqian's brow twitched slightly.

"Father will think that my siblings and I are filial and can share Mother's burdens."

Li Lizhi continued, "Moreover, a disease that even the Imperial Medical Academy couldn't cure was cured by the person we found—what will the ministers think if this gets back to the court?"

She didn't spell it out explicitly, but the meaning was already quite clear.

Li Chengqian was the crown prince, and although his position was secure, there were always people in the court who coveted the throne, especially his younger brother, Li Tai, who had some ideas.

If one can achieve merit in "curing one's mother's illness", one can not only win the emperor's favor, but also establish a reputation for "benevolence and filial piety" throughout the court and the country.

This would only benefit him in his position as crown prince, and would not do him any harm.

Li Chengqian's eyes flickered slightly.

He wasn't stupid; he naturally understood the deeper meaning behind his sister's words.

But he didn't see anything wrong with it—Lizhi was right, this was an opportunity.

An opportunity to both cure his mother's illness and consolidate his own position.

"What are your plans?" Li Chengqian finally asked.

Li Lizhi was secretly delighted, but she didn't show it on her face. She whispered, "Tomorrow, when Mother leaves the city, my brother and I will accompany her. After we arrive at Tangquan Palace and settle in, my brother will mention to Mother that his health has improved, and then bring up Doctor Shen."

"How do we induce it?"

"My brother said that he met a divine physician outside the city. His medical skills are superb, and he was the one who treated my illness. The treatment has already shown initial results. He also said that this divine physician is good at treating qi-related illnesses, so why don't we ask him to take a look?"

Li Chengqian nodded, then shook his head: "Just saying that might not convince Mother."

"So, Your Majesty needs to let Mother see the changes in you with her own eyes." Li Lizhi pointed to his complexion. "Your Majesty's complexion is much better today than yesterday. This is a real improvement. Mother is a discerning person; she can tell at a glance."

Li Chengqian touched his face, lost in thought.

He does feel much better today, not only physically, but also with a rosier complexion.

Although the change wasn't significant, someone as observant as the Empress Dowager would surely have noticed it.

"Furthermore," Li Lizhi added, "if Mother asks about Doctor Shen's background, Your Majesty should say that he is a traveling physician who provides free medical care outside the city and has cured many people. Don't mention his age for now, lest Mother have preconceived notions."

Why?

"Mother and Father both believe that doctors become more skilled with age. If they knew that Doctor Shen was only in his early twenties, they probably wouldn't even want to see him," Li Lizhi smiled slightly. "Once Mother sees his medical skills with her own eyes, she will naturally believe it."

After hearing this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but glance at Li Lizhi again.

"Lizhi," he suddenly said, "when did you become so clever?"

Li Lizhi paused for a moment, then lowered her eyes and said softly, "Your Majesty is joking. I just... want Mother to get better."

Her voice was soft, but Li Chengqian could tell the weight behind it.

He didn't ask any more questions, but simply nodded: "Okay, we'll do it your way."

"Your Majesty agreed?" Li Lizhi looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"I agree." Li Chengqian picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "It's time for Mother's illness to take a turn for the better."

Li Lizhi stood up and solemnly bowed to Li Chengqian: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Alright, stop with the act." Li Chengqian waved his hand, his tone becoming more relaxed. "But you seem to care quite a bit about that Doctor Shen."

Li Lizhi's ears turned slightly red, and she turned her face away: "Brother, don't talk nonsense. I just... I just think he is a capable person."

"A capable person?"

Li Chengqian looked at her with a half-smile, "This is the first time I've seen you so concerned about a doctor."

"Royal brother!" Li Lizhi's face turned completely red.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore."

Li Chengqian smiled and waved his hand, but a thoughtful glint flashed in his eyes.

His younger sister is usually gentle and kind; she's not the type to easily take a liking to anyone.

That Dr. Shen...

Li Chengqian shook his head, suppressing the thought for the time being.

The most pressing issue right now is the Empress Dowager's illness.

As for other things, we'll talk about them later.

"Lizhi, tomorrow morning, go to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager and sound out her opinion." Li Chengqian's smile faded, and he said seriously, "I'll also make some preparations here. When we get to Tangquan Palace, we'll act according to the situation."

"Okay." Li Lizhi nodded.

The brother and sister discussed some more details until the moon was high in the sky, at which point Li Lizhi got up to take her leave.

As she stepped out of the East Palace, a cool night breeze caused her skirt to flutter gently.

Cuizhu followed behind and asked softly, "Princess, has His Highness the Crown Prince agreed?"

"Mmm." Li Lizhi nodded slightly, her eyes reflecting the starlight, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

"So, what's next..."

"Now, we'll see what tomorrow brings." Li Lizhi took a deep breath and walked towards Lizheng Palace.

The moonlight shone on her, casting her shadow long and thin.

In her heart, there was both anticipation and a hint of unease that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Shen Chang'an, don't let me down.

Meanwhile, in a small courtyard far outside Chang'an City, Shen Chang'an was completely unaware of this.

He was sitting cross-legged in the quiet room, his Azure Wood True Qi flowing slowly through his body, gradually pushing towards the barrier of the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Outside the window, the moonlight was as clear as water.

The chirping of insects and the gentle night breeze.

Tomorrow will be another busy day.